Remarks at the Ukraine-Hosted Side Event at the 2018 OSCE Ministerial Council On Russian Aggression in Crimea, the Kerch Strait, and the Sea of Azov As delivered by Assistant Secretary of State A. Wess Mitchell December 6, 2018 Thank you, Pavlo, for organizing this important event. The past four years of Russian aggression against Ukraine ...

Response to the OSCE’s Chief Monitor in Ukraine, Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, and the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Representative in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Martin Sajdik.

Ongoing Violations of International Law and Defiance of OSCE Principles and Commitments by the Russian Federation in Ukraine As delivered by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Harry Kamian to the Permanent Council, Vienna June 14, 2018 Mr. Chair, intense fighting near the Donetsk Filtration Station led to a temporary suspension of its operations last week, jeopardizing the ...

The State Department’s top official for European and Eurasian Affairs, Wess Mitchell, condemned Russia’s persecution of Crimean Tatars and voiced the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ongoing Violations of International Law and Defiance of OSCE Principles and Commitments by the Russian Federation in Ukraine As delivered by Deputy Political Counselor Darren Perdue to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 16, 2017 Thank you, Mr. Chair. The conflict in the Donbas seems to have returned to an established pattern as we enter the ...

The investigations into the April 23 tragedy resulting in the death of SMM paramedic Joseph Stone must be honest, thorough, and transparent, and include concrete determinations on making SMM operations stronger and safer in the future.

Because Russia continues to block the Observer Mission's expansion -- despite clear, strong, continued support from other participating States to do so -- we once again are forced to accept a limited and inadequate mission.

The Project Coordinator in Ukraine (PCU) plays an indispensable role in providing assistance to Ukraine. Key projects offer training on psychological support to people in conflict-affected areas; advocate for humanitarian demining; promote the safety of journalists; and support policy recommendations that draw attention to the plight of displaced persons.

The United States notes that Crimea remains an integral and internationally-recognized part of Ukraine, despite Russia’s ongoing occupation and attempted annexation. The mandate of the Project Coordinator in Ukraine applies to the entire country of Ukraine, including Crimea.

The United States fully supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally-recognized borders. We do not, nor will we ever, recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea.

We share the concerns of Organization for Democracy and Economic Development member states about the active and protracted conflicts in this region, and are deeply concerned by continuing violations of member states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Within 30 meters of a hospital, there was a shell crater four meters in diameter and two meters deep, assessed to have been fired from a 152mm artillery piece located in “separatist”-controlled territory. Because a shell of this size will generally kill anything within 50 meters of impact, it caused extensive damage to the hospital.

The conflict in eastern Ukraine continues unabated. On May 17, the SMM noted a 75 percent increase in ceasefire violations compared to the previous week, heightened violence in all five major hotspots along the contact line, and mounting civilian deaths.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has shaken the very foundations of security and stability in Europe, and is antithetical to a vision of Europe that is whole, free, and at peace. The United States affirms its staunch support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally-recognized borders.

Only a visible, verifiable, and irreversible improvement in the security situation will allow progress on the Minsk agreements, starting with a real and sustainable ceasefire, disengagement of forces, and the withdrawal of heavy weapons. Yet Russia continues a pattern of behavior that undermines disengagement.

OSCE observers at Gukovo and Donetsk are critical to supporting the work of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), which is also restricted while patrolling in so-called “separatist”-held territory within Ukraine.

The United States is shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Joseph Stone, a U.S. citizen serving as a paramedic with OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM), when his vehicle struck an explosive in separatist controlled territory in eastern Ukraine.

The surge in violence in eastern Ukraine provides yet another stark reminder of Russia’s ongoing aggression against its neighbor, a conflict Russia initiated and sustains. Over the course of the past week, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) counted the highest number of explosions by proscribed heavy weapons during the past year, with ...

Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine continues to cost lives every day. More than a million people remain displaced by fighting. The humanitarian crisis has worsened, as shelling periodically cuts off water and power to people living in the Donbas. The economy has been severely damaged. And OSCE monitors continue to face restrictions, harassment, and aggression.

Three years have passed since Russia launched its occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea. On February 27, 2014, Russian troops in unmarked uniforms seized the parliament building in Simferopol, and then proceeded to hold Crimea hostage until Russia forced the illegitimate “referendum” on March 16.

The United States is deeply concerned about the increasing risk to civilians in eastern Ukraine. Last week, the United Nations confirmed that fighting had claimed the lives of at least 20 civilians since the start of the year, and wounded over 91 more.

The OSCE is playing a crucial role observing and monitoring the situation in eastern Ukraine. U.S. bonds with NATO and the OSCE have stood the test of time. These are institutions that bring together partners on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to defend our shared ideals.

The United States applauds the heroic work of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine in brokering the local ceasefires in Avdiyivka that allowed essential repairs to restore power, water, and heating to tens of thousands of people living on both sides of the contact line. Yet the situation remains volatile.

We are particularly concerned that fighting continues unchecked in Avdiivka, despite efforts by Ukrainian authorities to end the violence. [...] Colleagues, there can be no confidence in the ceasefire if the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission is unable to verify it.

The United States finds it deeply regrettable that the Russian Federation continues to block the expansion of the geographic scope of the Observer Mission, despite the clear, strong, and continued support from other participating States to do so.

This conflict will remain volatile until weapons proscribed by the Minsk agreements are withdrawn, and the framework decisions on disengagement and demining are fully implemented. Otherwise, there is little to stop small-scale clashes from escalating, and this conflict from continuing.

The United States looks to Austria to maintain the German Chairmanship’s principled focus on supporting civil society and independent media, and promoting tolerance and non-discrimination throughout the OSCE region.

The United States expresses its deep concern over the offensive launched by combined Russian-separatist forces on Sunday, December 18, in what appears to have been a failed attempt to seize territory in strategic areas outside the town of Svitlodarsk, which is located near separatist-held Debaltseve. This brazen violation of the Minsk agreements is an issue ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2016 Ambassador Baer’s Press Roundtable December 15, 2016 Hofburg Palace Vienna, Austria AMBASSADOR BAER: Thanks everyone. I know that this is supposed to be a conversation that is forward looking and that is looking specifically at the Austrian Chairmanship taking over next year, but in order to have some idea ...

I wanted to respond, not really directly to our distinguished Russian colleague, but rather, to point out to the rest of my distinguished colleagues around this table – just picking up on that last point that we heard from the Russian delegation this morning: that all those who are interested in dialogue need to accept ...

The United States welcomes Ambassador Jarbussynova to the Permanent Council. Ambassador, thank you for efforts and for the accomplishments of the Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings highlighted in your report. The United States strongly supports the work of the OSCE Special Representative and that of her staff, ...

One of the things that gets misunderstood is that while it is true that it is difficult to reach consensus today in the OSCE, on most things, there is agreement by at least 55 or 56 States. It is usually one or two holdouts. When it’s one, it’s usually the Russian Federation. And when it’s ...

Friends and colleagues, we meet in Hamburg today to reaffirm the same idea that tied us together in Helsinki 41 years ago: that our collective security is directly linked to the growth of our economies and the protection of basic human rights.

The United States welcomes Ambassadors Apakan and Sajdik back to the Permanent Council. Ambassadors, we thank you for your report, and for your tireless efforts to see the Minsk agreements implemented in full. Ambassador Apakan, please convey our gratitude to your monitors and staff who serve in difficult and at times dangerous conditions. This week, ...

The situation continues to deteriorate in eastern Ukraine. In mid-November ceasefire violations reached their highest levels since the establishment of the Special Monitoring Mission in 2014. Furthermore, the SMM recorded last week the highest-ever number of violations from heavy weapons, including multiple launch rocket systems. Combined Russian-separatist forces continue to be responsible for the majority ...

In connection with the adoption of the Decision for the Extension of the Mandate of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine, the United States would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure: The United States notes that Crimea remains an integral and internationally-recognized part of Ukraine, ...

For the second week in a row, ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine reached as many as three thousand incidents in a single day.That is on par with the high levels of violence in April and July. Combined Russian-separatist forces continue to be responsible for provoking the majority of attacks. In addition, the Special Monitoring Mission ...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I, too, was disappointed with the statement from the Russian delegation today. Colleagues, I think it’s important — I’d just like to remind of one quote from our Russian colleague today — that some of us around the table point to “an external boogie man who can be blamed ...

The United States remains deeply concerned by the fighting in eastern Ukraine. The ceasefire appears to be unraveling, and violence has reached peak levels not seen since August 2015. To safeguard civilian lives, all parties must act now to secure a real and comprehensive ceasefire and complete disengagement. Steps must be taken to improve the ...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, too, wanted to respond to some of the comments made by our distinguished Russian colleague. First, to remind all colleagues around this table about SMM reporting, which we value highly and study closely. For many months now, SMM reporting — obviously, as folks know, the SMM can only report things ...

I would like to start by expressing our sincere gratitude to President Maurer for his remarks and thoughtful recommendations on behalf of the International Committee of the Red Cross. We first met in Washington several years ago in our previous capacities. It has been a real pleasure to see you and your success in your ...

The current effort toward disengagement provides a window of opportunity to put in place a lasting ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, as Ambassadors Sajdik and Apakan told the Permanent Council last week. While we recognize signs of progress on disengagement – such as the withdrawal of forces on both sides of the contact line at Petrivske ...

The United States welcomes Ambassador Peško back to the Permanent Council, and thanks him for his report. At the outset, let me commend the dedicated and talented staff members of the Conflict Prevention Center (CPC) and their work to support the OSCE’s response to our shared security challenges – in particular, Russian aggression against Ukraine. ...

The United States welcomes Ambassadors Apakan and Sajdik back to the Permanent Council and thanks them for their efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine. We must take this opportunity to build on the September 1 ceasefire re-commitment and the Framework Decision on Disengagement, effective September 21. From September 19 to 25, Ukraine ...

The Russian Federation made yet another effort to blame Ukraine for the Russian Federation’s military intervention in that country. The absurdity of this claim is matched only by the Russian Delegation’s claim that the Munich agreement was responsible for WWII and in effect that the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact to military divide our host country and other ...

As the 2016 HDIM draws to a close, my delegation wishes to share some observations that will shape our approach to the OSCE Ministerial in Hamburg. First: Helsinki Final Act Principles linking respect for human rights within states to lasting security among states could not be more relevant. These foundational principles are under siege and ...

Two weeks ago, ODIHR and the German chairmanship organized a conference on the role of political leaders in countering discrimination, racism, and bias-motivated crimes against Roma. This conference built on an excellent side event convened during last year’s Human Dimension Implementation Meeting. We commend Germany and ODIHR for continuing to focus on this problem as ...

Equal opportunity for women and men in all spheres of life is critical to building resilient, democratic societies; supporting open and accountable governance; ending extreme poverty; furthering international peace and security; growing vibrant market economies; and addressing pressing health and education challenges. One of the biggest threats to reaching these goals is gender-based violence. As ...

In Vienna in 1989, all participating States committed to, “respect the right of everyone to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State, and to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.” This right is still not fully respected in all participating States. Let me make it ...

Freedom of religion or belief is a founding principle of the Helsinki Process. Unfortunately, a small number of participating States engage in consistent, systematic violations and abuses of the freedom of religion or belief.

If a government has law enforcement concerns about a participant, HDIM is not the appropriate forum to deal with it. There are inter-governmental tools for law enforcement cooperation. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan: we want your participation. Walking out robs the rest of us of your government’s perspective. It is not an effective way to respond to ...

The United States offers its continued support in the effort to save lives and protect those who are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking, including migrants and refugees. Europol has reported that known smuggling and human trafficking gangs are working together to exploit migrant vulnerabilities. This is particularly concerning given the influx last year of 90,000 ...

In establishing the Representative on Freedom of the Media in 1997, the OSCE participating States recognized that “free, independent, and pluralistic media are essential to a free and open society and accountable systems of government.”

Elections are an essential element of democracy and a cornerstone of democratic institutions. The U.S. greatly appreciates the OSCE’s invaluable role in election observation – indeed, this organization has developed what is known as the “gold standard” for its methodology on evaluating elections.

On August 30, we marked the International Day for the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The United States stands in solidarity with the men and women around the world whose own governments have abducted them and detained them in secret. In too many countries, repressive regimes confronted by citizens trying to hold their leaders accountable will ...

As we mark two years after the September 5 Minsk Protocol of 2014, and soon the September 19, 2014 Minsk Memorandum, we must pause and reiterate the urgency of pursuing peace and the full implementation of those documents. The people of Ukraine deserve peace. The September 1 school-year ceasefire recommitment is an important opportunity to ...

I’d just like to take the opportunity to respond to a couple of the statements made by our distinguished Russian colleague. First, there is no parallel reality. Many of us – I didn’t have the pleasure of seeing our distinguished Russian colleague there last week in Potsdam – but many of us were present in ...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Allow me to join others in also associating my delegation with the condolences you that you offered on behalf of all of us at the beginning of the meeting. The United States joins other delegations in extending a warm welcome to you, Ambassadors Apakan and Sajdik, as you return to the Permanent ...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Just to respond to the statement of our distinguished Russian colleague — who just responded to my statement and said that he disagreed with what he claimed I said– He claimed I said that all restrictions on the SMM are the result of the Russia-backed separatists. I did not ...

Minister Kurz, the United States welcomes you to the Permanent Council, and offers its sincere thanks to Austria for taking on the Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2017. When the current Chairman-in-Office, Minister Steinmeier, appeared at the Permanent Council in January, we noted that Germany was assuming the Chairmanship at a time when Europe faced ...

It has become all too common for some to speak of a “crisis in European security,” which is really an inadequate way to refer to Russia’s occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea, and Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine.

Since the distinguished Russian ambassador made a statement that directly contradicts or responded to an element in the statement by my delegation, I just wanted to clarify that the part of the Minsk Protocol – since the distinguished Russian ambassador said that the Minsk Protocol of September 2014 in no way mentions monitoring of the ...

Due to Russia’s unwarranted restrictions of the border Observer Mission’s work, the Mission will continue to be unable to ascertain the full extent to which Russia is participating in or facilitating the flow of arms, funding, and personnel to support the separatists in eastern Ukraine.

As we have seen over the past three days, the large turnout of officials from our capitals demonstrates that our governments take seriously the opportunity provided by the ASRC to review the implementation of our OSCE security commitments. The United States values this forum highly, and our delegation included a Special Assistant to the President, ...

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen: thank you for the opportunity to contribute to a discussion of Conventional Arms Control and Confidence­ and Security­ Building Measures (CSBMs) at this year’s Annual Security Review Conference. This is an important topic that deserves thoughtful reflection and an honest exchange of views, particularly at this time of great ...

Colleagues, I’d just like to call attention once again, since this has been a pattern, to the statement just made by our distinguished Russian colleague. When we see the continued denial of the reality of the situation that Russia is occupying territory that belongs to neighboring countries – and that’s countries plural, obviously – it ...

The United States strongly condemns the attack that occurred yesterday on the government-controlled town of Vodiane, where mortar fire hit the town while SMM monitors were carrying out a patrol. The attack put civilians and SMM monitors at grave risk. This gross violation of the Minsk agreements is completely unacceptable, and those responsible must be held ...

I’ve appreciated listening to the discussion this morning, and in particular the exchange we just heard between our distinguished Russian colleague and our distinguished Ukrainian colleague – and the rest of us, because we’re all part of this conversation. I agree with our distinguished Russian colleague that, ideally, what we should aim for is that ...

The United States warmly welcomes Colonel Flavien Schaller to the Permanent Council, and thanks him for his informative report on the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk. Colonel Schaller, we also wish to express our appreciation for your own and your team’s work in difficult and restrictive conditions. The United ...

I’d like to respond to some of the comments made by our distinguished Russian colleague. First, the repeated claim that observation of the international border between Russia and Ukraine is only possible because of a goodwill gesture of the Russian Federation: our Ukrainian colleague has just recalled the sequence of events, and the fact that ...

The United States remains deeply concerned by the surge in violence in eastern Ukraine and efforts by combined Russian-separatist forces to mask their increasing aggression and the weaponry that facilitates their attacks.

Our distinguished colleague raised a couple of points from the previous item on our agenda, and I wanted to respond here. First, with respect to the citation of President Putin’s words in the TV news conference, where he said that Russia had been engaged in the “military sphere,” I will go back and look at ...

As the Secretary General warned last week, the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine is being subjected to a “deliberate effort to blind it.” Within a single week, combined Russian-separatist forces shot down the SMM’s two long-range UAVs near Horlivka, and threatened to shoot down a mini-UAV sent by the SMM to search for wreckage of ...

The United States is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine. Combined Russian-separatist forces have stepped up the violence, fired banned heavy weapons from civilian areas, and have continued to obstruct the work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, including threatening monitors, shooting down an SMM UAV, and disabling ...

High Commissioner Thors, the United States welcomes you back to the Permanent Council after an especially busy and productive period. Your report today and the country visits you have made in the past six months demonstrate a commitment to carry out your work wherever needed. The United States very much values your engagement throughout the ...

Despite efforts to build on the Easter ceasefire recommitment and create a better security environment, this week began with the highest casualties incurred since August of last year. The security zone in eastern Ukraine continues to be defined by tension and instability, as Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said this week. ...

The United States warmly welcomes Nadiya Savchenko’s release and return to Ukraine. Nearly two years ago, she was abducted in eastern Ukraine and smuggled against her will into Russia. Ms. Savchenko endured relentless interrogations, solitary confinement, and forced “psychiatric evaluation.” Through it all, she remained steadfast, resilient, and loyal to her country. The return of ...

In connection with the adoption of the Decision for the Extension of the Mandate of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine, the United States would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure: The United States notes that Crimea remains an integral and internationally-recognized part of Ukraine, ...

Reply 1: I appreciate the question from our distinguished Russian colleague and I think it gets right to the heart of Russia’s fundamental misunderstanding of the situation. Our distinguished Russian colleague has the unfortunate responsibility to represent a regime, an authoritarian regime, that has invaded a neighboring state. That is totally different from invited assistance ...

On May 18, 1944, the Soviet government ordered the mass deportation of over 230,000 Crimean Tatars from their homeland. Nearly half of those deported, mostly women and children, perished between 1944 and 1947.

Just to respond to our distinguished Russian colleague: the Current Issue item under which we spoke this week, as it has been for many weeks now, was about Russia’s contraventions of its OSCE commitments with respect to its violation of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The issue that you raised about the ...

The United States welcomes the announcement of the renewed ceasefire in recognition of Orthodox Easter. While fighting has diminished, combined Russian-separatist forces continue attacks on Ukrainian positions, which have resulted in several Ukrainian casualties since the ceasefire went into effect. The Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) also reports the presence of considerable numbers of ...

On the 30th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, our thoughts remain with the victims, from the emergency workers who gave their lives to prevent an even greater disaster, to those living in the area affected by the fallout.

Ambassadors Sajdik and Apakan, we warmly welcome you back to the Permanent Council. Ambassador Apakan, you asked for our continued strong support, and let me assure you that you have it. Thank you both for your reports which underscore the serious deterioration of the situation in eastern Ukraine since you last appeared here three months ...

At the outset, let me recognize the service of Arseniy Yatsenyuk as Ukraine’s Prime Minister and acknowledge his stewardship of his country, especially during the tumultuous weeks after former President Yanukovych fled the country, which culminated in free, fair, and democratic presidential elections. Prime Minister Yatsenyuk helped pass ambitious reforms, which moved Ukraine closer to ...

We find it deeply regrettable that Russia continues to block the expansion of the geographic scope of the Observer Mission, despite the clear, strong, and continued support from other participating States to do so.

I just want to respond to a few points made by our distinguished Russian colleague. First of all, his statement that “responsibility lies entirely with the Ukrainian forces” for the deterioration on the ground is false. That statement is not borne out by the SMM reports, or by plenty of open source reporting, so I ...

Mr. Eugster, the United States warmly welcomes you for your final visit to the Permanent Council as Chief Observer of the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk. We thank you for your service, and wish to express our appreciation for the work of all of the mission’s observers, which occurs ...

We have entered a dangerous new phase of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Two weeks ago, the Permanent Council was alerted to the fact that ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine reached their highest levels since August 2015. The following week, they doubled. This week, they doubled again. In February alone, OSCE monitors reported 15,000 ceasefire ...

The United States once again calls on Russia to release immediately all Ukrainian detainees held in Russia for political reasons. We remain especially concerned about Nadiya Savchenko, and we urge the Russian Federation to immediately drop all charges and release her. The facts of Ms. Savchenko’s detention and trial are well-known. In the 20 months ...

The United States calls on Russia once again to immediately release Nadiya Savchenko and drop all charges against her. Ms. Savchenko has been unjustly imprisoned in Russia since 2014 – detained and facing trial on trumped up charges. Ms. Savchenko was proudly serving her country as a member of the Ukrainian armed forces, fighting in ...

Russia and the separatists continue to initiate attacks along the contact line in eastern Ukraine, keeping the situation dangerous and highly volatile. Continued provocations by combined Russian-separatist forces place Ukrainian soldiers, civilians, and members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) at great risk. The explosion of an 82mm mortar shell 60 meters away from ...

The United States is concerned that the number of observed ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine is at the highest level since August 2015, exceeding 3,800 in the last week; combined-Russian separatist forces are responsible for the majority of them. Combined Russian-separatist forces have also attacked Ukrainian positions with proscribed heavy weapons, including grad rocket launchers, ...

The United States condemns the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksander Kolchenko, Stanislav Klikh, Mykola Karpyuk, Akhtem Chiygoz, and all other Ukrainians unjustly held in Russia, separatist-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine, and in Russia-occupied Crimea. Human rights groups estimate there are currently at least 20 such cases. These raise serious concerns about Russia’s ...

Mr. Chair, two brief comments in response to the distinguished Russian colleague. First, I can’t help but think that it must be consummately embarrassing for the representative of the Russian Federation to have to read a statement that attempts to persuade the people in this room that an obvious show trial, a process that is ...

On February 24, 2016 the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe joined 15 other delegations to the OSCE to recognize Oleksandra Matviychuk with a Democracy Defender Award. Matviychuk is a Ukrainian civil society leader who has been an active campaigner for democratic reforms in her country. Zhanna Nemtsova, the eldest ...

The United States condemns the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksander Kolchenko, Stanislav Klikh, Mykola Karpyuk, Akhtem Chiygoz, and all other Ukrainians unjustly held in Russia and in Russian-occupied Crimea. Human rights groups estimate that there are currently at least 20 such cases.

The United States welcomes the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. In so doing, we reaffirm the interpretative statements we made upon adoption of the mandate on March 21, 2014, upon the first extension of the mandate on July 24, 2014, and upon the second extension of the mandate ...

Before responding to a couple of the specific points made by our distinguished Russian colleague, I just want to offer a general observation. Having listened to our distinguished Russian colleague, and having listened to the statements that represent the views of so many others around this table today, I think it is important for the ...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, just very briefly, our distinguished Russian colleague is correct that I did not read the entirety of Secretary Kerry’s remarks at Munich. I commend them to all of you. And as Secretary Kerry and many others have done many times, on behalf of my government, we have called for Russia and ...

Mr. Chairman, Moderator Dempsey, Ambassadors, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning. It is a distinct honor for me to be with you today at the beginning of Germany’s chairmanship of the OSCE and to be included in this High-Level Military Doctrine Seminar. The OSCE is a unique institution offering a neutral venue to address ...

The United States notes with deepening concern the increasing violence along the line of contact in eastern Ukraine. Over the past weekend, ceasefire violations more than quadrupled from the previous week. As SMM Chief Monitor Apakan stated during his report to the Permanent Council last week, the security situation in eastern Ukraine is deteriorating. The ...

The United States condemns the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksander Kolchenko, Stanislav Klikh, Mykola Karpyuk, Akhtem Chiygoz, and all other Ukrainians unjustly held in Russia and in Russian-occupied Crimea. Human rights groups estimate that there are currently at least 20 such cases. The United States continues to monitor Ms. Savchenko’s trial closely. ...

Ambassadors Apakan and Sajdik, welcome back to the Permanent Council. We greatly appreciate your efforts on behalf of the OSCE and all of its participating States to support the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. With the deadline to implement Minsk extended through 2016, the Trilateral Contact Group and Special Monitoring Mission will both play ...

The United States condemns the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Stanislav Klykh, Mykola Karpyuk, and all other Ukrainians unjustly held in Russia. The United States continues to monitor Ms. Savchenko’s trial closely. We note with alarm that Ms. Savchenko has lost 15 kilograms as a result of her hunger strike to ...

I just wanted to respond on two points made by our distinguished Russian colleague. Just to be clear for others in the room about the purpose of recent U.S. diplomatic efforts: we have remained engaged throughout the last two years in support of a peaceful resolution to the conflict and to the crisis between Russia ...

Mr. Chair, just to respond to our distinguished Russian colleague. Just to assure our distinguished Russian colleague, I’m quite aware of the discussion that was held yesterday between my boss, Secretary Kerry, and Foreign Minister Lavrov, as well as the conversation held yesterday between Vice President Biden and President Poroshenko. And there is no contrast ...

The New Year offers the chance to intensify our efforts to implement Minsk and resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine. We welcome the extension of the Minsk agreements into 2016, but stress that the Russian Federation must implement its Minsk commitments, including honoring the ceasefire, granting unimpeded access to SMM monitors, facilitating agreement on election ...

Minister Steinmeier, we are pleased to welcome you to the Permanent Council as Chairperson-in-Office. We offer our sincere thanks to you, to Ambassador Pohl and the excellent German delegation here in Vienna, and to all those working in Berlin as part of the OSCE task force, for taking on the Chairmanship of the OSCE in ...

The United States condemns the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksander Kolchenko, Stanislav Klikh, Mykola Karpyuk, and all other Ukrainians unjustly held in Russia. The United States continues to monitor Ms. Savchenko’s trial closely. We understand that documents assembled by the Ukrainian government for consideration by the court as evidence in the proceedings ...

I wanted to make a couple of points in response to our distinguished Russian colleague. On the substantive point with respect to the Russian Federation’s professed concern for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, and particularly what our distinguished Russian colleague refers to as a “comprehensive political agreement,” I just want to make two points. First, ...

I just wanted to respond to our distinguished Russian colleague and say, for the record and to be perfectly clear, that our delegation is very disappointed to hear the Russian delegation claim that it has no obligations under the commitments it has made at Minsk over the last year-and-a-half, including the Minsk Protocol, Memorandum, and ...

The United States expresses concern about increasing reports of exchanges of fire in and around Donetsk and other areas in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine and we reiterate our call for restraint. This flare up, like others instigated by combined Russian-separatist forces, coincides with meetings in Minsk of the Trilateral Contact Group’s working groups. ...

At last week’s Ministerial in Belgrade, OSCE participating States reiterated that it is Russian aggression that sustains the crisis in and around Ukraine. Russia maintains its occupation of Crimea and continues arming, training, and fighting alongside separatists in eastern Ukraine. Wednesday’s report on the human rights situation in Ukraine by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human ...

The United States warmly welcomes Mr. Eugster to the Permanent Council, and thanks him for his informative report on the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk. We wish to express our appreciation for the work of the Mission’s observers in difficult conditions. As the Chief Observer has suggested, early renewal ...

PRESS RELEASE | December 7, 2015 In his remarks at the opening of the annual OSCE Ministerial meeting –held this year in Belgrade-on December 3-4, Secretary of State John Kerry called for Russia to fulfill its commitments under the Minsk agreements, including withdrawing Russian forces and weapons, in order to resolve the conflict in eastern ...

The United States makes the following interpretive statement under paragraph IV.1(A) 6 of the OSCE rules of procedure and asks that it be attached to this Decision. The United States looks forward to next year’s Ministerial Council in Hamburg and welcomes this decision by the Ministerial Council. As we look toward next year we must ...

The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksander Kolchenko, Stanislav Klikh and all other Ukrainians unjustly held as prisoners and hostages in Russia. We note that on November 24, the Russian Supreme Court upheld the wrongful convictions of Oleg Sentsov and Oleksander Kolchenko. We regret ...

We gather at a time in which combined Russian-separatist forces are ratcheting up the violence in eastern Ukraine; their attacks on Ukrainian positions result in almost daily casualties. In a 12-hour period on Monday and Tuesday of this week, separatists launched 30 provocations, and the SMM has noted the use of heavy weapons supposedly withdrawn ...

In the spirit of dialogue I just want to respond to some of what our distinguished Russian colleague has said today. There was a conversation in this forum a few months ago about SMM reporting. One of the aspects of that conversation was to discuss the fact that because Russia and its proxies deny the ...

The United States is deeply concerned that ceasefire violations are again mounting in eastern Ukraine. At a press conference just a little while ago, the Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE SMM noted that yesterday, in a space of 19 minutes, SMM monitors heard 107 explosions. Attacks by combined Russian-separatist forces all along the line ...

In connection with the adoption of the decision on the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine the United States would like to make the following interpretive statement under paragraph 4.1 A6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure: The United States notes that Crimea remains an integral part of Ukraine, despite ...

High Commissioner Thors, we warmly welcome you back to the Permanent Council and thank you for your comprehensive report on your activities during the past four months. During this short period, you have been active with the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, the Supplemental Human Dimension Meeting on national minorities, and a trip to Ukraine, as ...

The United States welcomes the efforts of the Normandy Format Foreign Ministers, who met in Berlin on November 6, to end Russian aggression in Ukraine and strengthen implementation of the Minsk Agreements. The talks occurred against the backdrop of rising tensions and increased ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk. While these incidents were most concentrated ...

The United States condemns again in the strongest possible terms the continued detention of Ukrainian citizens Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, and Oleksander Kolchenko by Russia. The United States continues to closely monitor Ms. Savchenko’s trial. We note that Ms. Savchenko’s trial will resume later this month, and we expect that the court will allow her ...

We appreciate Ukraine’s regular updates to the Permanent Council on its reform efforts. We applaud Ukraine for the progress they have made on reforms since President Poroshenko and Prime Minister Yatsenyuk took over in 2014. Many difficult reforms remain, especially in strengthening the judiciary’s independence and fighting corruption. We welcome Ukraine’s draft constitutional amendment on ...

Ambassadors Sajdik and Apakan, we welcome you back to the Permanent Council. Your appearance obviously comes at a critical juncture in the implementation of the Minsk agreements. In spite of President Putin’s statements in Paris on October 2, separatists are still threatening to walk away from their political commitments under Minsk and are blocking humanitarian ...

We congratulate millions of people in Ukraine for exercising their right to vote in Saturday’s elections, demonstrating that democracy in Ukraine remains resilient. These elections take on added importance because of the enhanced responsibilities authorities and local governments will inherit as the Ukrainian parliament completes the process of constitutional reform and decentralization. The elections took ...

The United States takes note of the relative calm along the line of contact in eastern Ukraine. Continued progress on the security situation in the Donbas will help facilitate further gains on implementing the political, economic, and humanitarian aspects of the Minsk agreements. The calm that has largely held since September 1 has created space ...

The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleksander Kolchenko, and Oleg Sentsov. We have not forgotten them – nor any of the other Ukrainian hostages detained on baseless charges by Russia. The United States remains deeply concerned by serious allegations of mistreatment and abuse of Ukrainian hostages ...

I want to respond to a few of the points made by our distinguished Russian colleague: First, it’s fine for the petty statement that the American ambassador hasn’t read the Minsk agreements to be made. I leave that for him to decide if that is constructive. I would note that our distinguished Russian colleague claimed ...

During the past few weeks, we have heard in the Permanent Council our distinguished Russian colleague call the conflict in Ukraine an “internal” one. Let us recall how we came to discuss this issue in the Permanent Council. On February 27, 2014, men in military uniforms lacking any insignia occupied the Crimean Parliament building in ...

On October 13, the U.S. Mission to the OSCE helped facilitate an informal visit by a group of Permanent Representatives to the Ukrainian military training center in Yavoriv, where Ambassador Baer and colleagues observed ongoing training of Ukrainian National Guard servicemen by the U.S. military. The group received a briefing on the training program and ...

Earlier this year, we marked the anniversary of the tragic deaths of 298 innocent victims on board Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. Our sympathy and thoughts remain with the victims, their families and friends. The day following the horrific shooting down of MH17 over separatist-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine, OSCE participating States collectively called for an ...

Russia pledged to support free and fair local elections in the special status zone in Luhansk and Donetsk in the September 2014 and February 2015 Minsk Agreements, and again most recently in the Paris Normandy Leaders’ Meeting on October 2. The February Minsk agreement stipulates these elections must be held under Ukrainian law, in accordance ...

The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko by Russia. Ms. Savchenko was captured in Ukraine by Russia-backed separatists over a year ago and taken to Russia, where she has remained in prison ever since. Her detention is a violation of the commitments Russia made under the Minsk ...

First, the conflict that has occupied so much of our time over the last year-and-a-half is not an internal conflict in Ukraine. Everybody knows that. Even our distinguished Russian colleague, I would venture, knows that. And we are very grateful to the president of France and the chancellor of Germany for sitting last Friday once ...

I just wanted to respond to a few points made by our distinguished Russian colleague. Let me begin by saying that I share the sense that there is reason for cautious optimism, and I appreciate the Russian colleague’s focus on the need to finish work that has only just begun and to build confidence in ...

The United States welcomes the positive developments made during the past week following meetings of the Trilateral Contact Group and the Normandy Leaders, but emphasizes that much work remains to be done to secure full implementation of the Minsk agreements. The agreement of September 29 on the withdrawal of heavy weapons less than 100mm in ...

We warmly welcome Ambassador Sajdik to the Permanent Council. Ambassador, your appearance at the Permanent Council is timely, as Ukraine stands at a crossroads between crisis and opportunity. The ceasefire, in place since September 1, and imperfect though it is, has provided the opportunity for progress on difficult security, political, humanitarian, and economic issues. That ...

Just a few points: I think it’s clear that there is a logical sequence that has to happen and we have discussed this before in this chamber. And I think part of what we have heard here – relatively unanimously today – is that progress on the ceasefire, to the extent that it’s durable, moves ...

In connection with the adoption of the Decision for the Extension of Deployment of OSCE Observers to Two Russian Checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian Border, the United States would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure: The United States finds it deeply regrettable that the Russian Federation ...

The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko by Russia. Ms. Savchenko was captured by Russia-backed separatists over a year ago and taken to Russia, where she has remained in prison ever since. On September 15, a court in the Russian city of Donetsk ruled to extend Ms. ...

The United States welcomes the decrease in violence resulting from the supplemental September 1 ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. We must seize this opportunity to consolidate the ceasefire, secure the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of contact, achieve complete access for OSCE monitors throughout Ukraine and its international borders, and allow for the delivery ...

I warmly welcome you, Ambassador Pesko, to the Permanent Council, and thank you for your assessment of the work of the Conflict Prevention Center (CPC). We commend the CPC for its ongoing work to support the OSCE’s response to Russian aggression in Ukraine, including the activities of the Chairmanship’s Special Envoy, the Special Monitoring Mission ...

We welcome the September 1 ceasefire which appears to be largely holding and has resulted in a marked decrease in violence in eastern Ukraine. We note, however, that there have been attacks by combined Russian-separatist forces across the line of contact that resulted in Ukrainian casualties. We need to seize this moment while the ceasefire ...

I just wanted to respond to a couple of points raised by our distinguished Russian colleague. First, I want to say that I recognize a change in tone in much of today’s statement from the Russian Federation – the tone was more positive, and I hope this will prove to be something that is also ...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you, Ambassador Verba, for your report. Ukraine’s future is as a free, democratic, and prosperous European country, and reform is the way to realize this future. The Ukrainian government has made tremendous strides in implementing wide-ranging political, economic, and social reforms under extremely difficult circumstances. Russia’s occupation of Crimea ...

While the OSCE was on recess, a Russian military court sentenced Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov to 20 years in prison and Ukrainian activist Oleksander Kolchenko to 10 years in prison.In an attempt to justify these sentences, the Russian court relied on unfounded allegations of plotting terrorist attacks and other activities in Russian-occupied Crimea. This is ...

[…] I wanted to respond to a few of the points raised by the distinguished Russian ambassador. First, I want to reiterate my delegation’s deep concern with what could be understood from comments of the Russian Federation–and since it was said this time as well as last time the Council met–that somehow the SMM’s reporting ...

Over the last few days, we have seen a welcome reduction in violence in eastern Ukraine, as the sides have worked to implement a September 1 ceasefire agreed to at the August 26 meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group. This development follows a sustained surge in attacks by combined Russian-separatist forces in preceding weeks, during ...

For Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksander Kolchenko, and other Ukrainian hostages, more than one year has passed in Russian custody. Russia has chosen to ignore its commitments under the Minsk agreements, which calls for the release of all hostages and illegally detained persons. We call on the Russian Federation to honor its international commitments and ...

At the outset, let me thank the Chairmanship for holding this special meeting of the Permanent Council to address the disturbing developments in Ukraine, and Ambassador Apakan for briefing us on the situation. Ambassador Apakan, as you noted, conditions on the ground in eastern Ukraine are more volatile and unpredictable than before. Your characterization of ...

As this is the last meeting of the Permanent Council before the summer recess, it is an appropriate opportunity to take stock of the situation in and around Ukraine, and consider how we can get to a peaceful resolution of the crisis caused by Russia’s aggression against its neighbor. Ten months ago, Russia agreed to ...

Last week, I expressed the concern of the United States over Russia’s decision to change where it claims Nadiya Savchenko’s so-called “illegal border crossing” into Russia took place from Voronezh to Rostov-on-Don. We suspected this was being done in order to ensure her trial would be held in Rostov rather than Moscow. This week, sadly, ...

I hadn’t intended to take the floor a second time but since the distinguished representative of the Russian delegation has reiterated a point that runs counter to a fact that was in our statement, I felt the need to respond. It has become a refrain of the Russian Federation to insist that the government of ...

Thank you for letting me respond to the distinguished Russian colleague. Colleagues, what we heard from our Russian colleague today was again a long list of complaints which are not any more true despite the passion with which they were delivered. I think it’s worth reviewing a few of them. First, with respect to the ...

The United States is deeply disturbed by the decision of Russian authorities to increase the charge against Ukrainian Member of Parliament Nadiya Savchenko to murder. We are further concerned by the decision to change the location identified as her so-called “illegal border crossing” from Voronezh to Rostov-on-Don, apparently in order to ensure that her trial ...

Thank you for beginning this meeting by marking the first anniversary of the tragic death of the 298 people who perished when their aircraft was shot down over eastern Ukraine. These 298 individuals – passengers and crew, men, women, children, parents, brothers, sisters – all are among the thousands who have been killed in eastern Ukraine since ...

The United States is pleased to welcome Ambassador Apakan to this joint meeting of the Permanent Council and the Forum for Security Cooperation. We remain very impressed with your able leadership of the Special Monitoring Mission. Mr. Ambassador, as we reflect on the SMM’s activities over the past fifteen months, it is striking how many ...

The United States reiterates its deep concern over Russia’s continued detention of Ukrainian citizens who were seized on Ukrainian territory and are being held hostage in defiance of Russia’s Minsk commitments. We are particularly concerned by the case of Ukrainian parliament member and delegate to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Nadiya Savchenko. ...

At last week’s Annual Security Review Conference (ASRC), Russia presented its narrative about the crisis in and around Ukraine. This narrative was not new, nor was it accurate. The Russian Federation reiterated its claim that the Russian military is not present in Ukraine. We know from the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine’s regular reports ...

Early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, conflict resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation: lessons learned and the way ahead Let me begin by expressing my government’s concern over the failure again this year to include on today’s agenda specific reference to the existing protracted conflicts affecting Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. These real conflicts in this region ...

Mr. Chair, Ambassadors, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon. It is an honor for me to be with you today at this Special Session on Ukraine — in this 40th anniversary year since the landmark Helsinki Accords were signed in 1975. Since then, the OSCE has been an indispensable part of European security architecture, ...

In connection with the adoption of the Decision for the Extension of Deployment of OSCE Observers to Two Russian Checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian Border, the United States would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure: The United States finds it deeply regrettable that, once again, the ...

In connection with the adoption of the Decision for the Extension of the Mandate of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine, the United States would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure: The United States notes that Crimea remains an integral part of Ukraine, despite Russia’s ...

The United States remains deeply concerned about continued Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine. The SMM continues to report on intense fighting in Donetsk, where it logged nearly 600 explosions in the space of just two days earlier this week, and near Shyrokyne, where heavy artillery use continues. The SMM has also reported on evidence that ...

In response to two short things: One, I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear– I wasn’t trying to suggest that we had a different view than our distinguished Ukrainian colleague, or that Secretary Kerry has a different view, I think we’ve made it clear that Russian obstructionism had damaged the previous efforts to have a successful ...

The United States warmly welcomes Mr. Picard back to the Permanent Council. We thank you, once again, for your informative report and your leadership of the Observer Mission at the two checkpoints on the hundreds-of-kilometers-long border between Ukraine and Russia. We welcome your weekly and quarterly reports that provide key insights about cross-border traffic flows ...

I just want to respond to the distinguished Russian delegate’s outrageous statement that there were dishonest attempts by myself and by other representatives around this table to rewrite the Minsk Agreement. In fact, what we just heard from the Russian delegation was another example of Russian dishonesty. The February 12 Package of Measures is titled ...

Last week, the Permanent Council discussed at length the June 3 attack by combined Russian-separatist forces on Marinka. Since then, additional details have come to light regarding the extent of the attack and the preparations made for it. We understand that on June 2 combined Russian-separatist forces moved large numbers of heavy weapons, including tanks, ...

The United States joins Ukraine and other participating States in expressing its deep concern over Russia’s continuing detention of Ukrainian citizens who were seized on Ukrainian territory and are being held hostage, in defiance of commitments made in Minsk. We draw particular attention to the case of Ukrainian parliament member and delegate to the Parliamentary ...

Yesterday was a very sad day, and before starting the bulk of our statement I just wanted to start with a general observation that picks up on Foreign Minister Vella’s closing statement in a way – which is that there is a lot of discussion in this organization about dialogue – and about the value ...

The United States joins Ukraine and other participating States in expressing its deep concern over Russia’s continuing detention of Ukrainian hostages who were seized from Ukrainian territory. The seizure and detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, and others contradicts President Putin’s assurance that Russia remains committed to the Minsk agreements. We draw particular attention to ...

We are gravely concerned by the significant increase in fighting in eastern Ukraine. Last week’s reports from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) had described lower levels of fighting, but in the last few days the SMM has reported intensive shelling in and around Donetsk airport, Avdiivka, and Shyrokyne. The shelling has come from mortars, ...

The United States warmly welcomes Ambassador Tagliavini back to the Permanent Council. While we very much appreciate your briefings given via video link, it is a pleasure to have you here in person. Thank you very much for your very clear presentation, in particular for laying out what you see from your expert position as ...

Representatives of many participating States recently underlined the importance of preserving history, learning from it, and honoring victims of horrific episodes in the past by upholding and defending universal human rights today. May 18, 2015, marked the 71st anniversary of the Soviet government’s forcible deportation of more than 230,000 Crimean Tatars from their homeland. Last ...

I’d just like to respond to three points that our distinguished Russian colleague just made. First, on the observation mission at the two checkpoints along the many hundreds of kilometers that are not under the state control of Ukraine: I just want to point out that what needs to happen – the reason why the ...

I’d like to respond to some of the comments made by the distinguished colleague of the Russian Federation. First, I want to take the comment that he offered at the top that he was concerned that our deliberations here resembled an American talk-show. I am not sure whether colleagues find that an insult to participants ...

Let me begin by once again thanking the OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine for its critical work under difficult circumstances. The SMM continues to provide a stream of reporting that consistently demonstrates the failure of Russia and the separatists it backs to comply with the commitments they made in Minsk. While Russian leaders claim ...

We take this opportunity, in conjunction with Ukraine and others, to once again voice our strong objection over the continued detention of Ukrainian hostages that Russia and the separatists it backs continue to hold in defiance of the commitments they made in Minsk. May 11 was Nadiya Savchenko’s 34th birthday. She’s a symbol for many ...

I just wanted to respond – especially since I was mentioned – to our distinguished Russian colleague’s comments about statistical analysis, and just to remind everyone of the reason why there is so much emphasis placed on access for our monitors, who are there on behalf of all 57 around this table. The reason why ...

Each week we express concern over the continued ceasefire violations and intense fighting in eastern Ukraine, which demonstrate the failure of Russia and the separatists it backs to comply with the provisions laid out in Minsk. This week has been no exception. The Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) observed the increased movement of military forces in ...

The United States joins Ukraine and others in expressing its deep concern over the continued detention of Ukrainian hostages held by Russia. The detention of these hostages defies the provisions of the Minsk agreements. We are dismayed that a district court has extended until November 13 the investigation into the case of Verkhovna Rada member ...

Last week, we expressed concern over the escalating violence the Special Monitoring Mission observed in the areas around Shyrokyne and Donetsk. Since then, pro-Russian separatist attacks and violence have escalated, the security situation has deteriorated further, and the SMM has suspended patrols in several areas around Donetsk City. As we have said before, separatist forces ...

The United States welcomes you to the Permanent Council, Secretary General Valeri Chechelashvili, and we thank you for your presentation today. The United States is a strong supporter of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM — and the valuable work of the Organization in promoting deeper economic links among its member states ...

The United States remains deeply concerned about the fate of Ukrainian hostages that Russia and the separatists it backs continue to hold in defiance of the commitments they made in the Minsk agreements and the February 12 Package of Measures. Among these is Nadiya Savchenko, a member of the Verkhovna Rada and of Ukraine’s delegation ...

Just to point out that this speaks to the need for the Humanitarian Working Group to get launched as soon as possible, and that one of the reasons why it has been agreed – but not implemented – that aid should be both delivered and distributed in line with international standards, is that the ICRC ...

To respond to our Russian colleague’s questions and points: First let me say that I think the fact that our Russian colleague could neither confirm nor deny the presence of Russian air defenses or Russian participation in the training in Eastern Ukraine is progress: because neither confirming nor denying is at least not outright denying ...

Ambassador Apakan, a warm welcome back to the Permanent Council. Thank you for your detailed report, and thank you for the vital work that you and your team are doing. Your visit to the Permanent Council comes at a critical time in the crisis in and around Ukraine. Violence continues to flare at hotspots along ...

Russia and the separatists it backs continue to illegally hold Ukrainian hostages in defiance of the commitments they made in the September 2014 Minsk Protocol and Memorandum and in the Package of Measures signed this year. Among those held is Nadiya Savchenko, a member of the Verkhovna Rada and a helicopter pilot in the Ukrainian ...

I want to respond to a few points made by our distinguished Russian colleague. Before I do that, though, I just want to say that I was really disappointed to hear the Russian statement today because, in its totality, it reflected a deeply disappointing lack of seriousness about diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. Drudging ...

It has been more than two months since the ceasefire agreed in the February 12 Package of Measures was supposed to go into effect. We need to face reality – this ceasefire began with massive violations by Russian forces and separatists attacking Debaltseve, and this has been a ceasefire in name only in many locations in eastern ...

Unfortunately, the past week has continued to show a stark disparity between what Russia and the separatists it backs say they are doing in eastern Ukraine, and what they are actually doing. They claim to be honoring the ceasefire, but in reality they are violating it on a regular basis. North of Luhansk, around the ...

The United States thanks Ambassador Apakan and Ambassador Tagliavini for joining us today. The Permanent Council always benefits from your reports on the effort to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis in and around Ukraine. The Special Monitoring Mission, now entering its second year, has done remarkable work in difficult, and at times unacceptable, ...

Just to be clear: there was an agreement that there will be local elections in line with international standards and we’ve heard time and time again from the President of Ukraine that he is prepared to engage with the people who emerge from that process. If they are in line with international standards, then they ...